200 public vomiting incidents at WCSD last semester

The Washoe County Health Department is hoping a massive deep cleaning at every school in the district stops a virus that made thousands sick.

Every hard surface in every school was scrubbed down with a bleach solution over winter break according to the district.

The district said the cleaning effort was massive but did not have an estimate on the cost. Every elementary, middle and high school was cleaned. Busses used at schools where the outbreaks occurred were also cleaned.

Most affected by the norovirus were elementary students at 19 schools in the district said Dr. Randall Todd, Washoe County Health District Epidemiology and Public Health Preparedness Division director. The virus started appearing at schools in August and continued through winter break.

“Usually with something like this, it goes away in two weeks. This went on and on,” said Todd.

The outbreak became so impressive that the health department asked the district in October to start keeping reports on how many students threw up at school.

Todd estimated about 200 children vomited in class.

He said the health department estimates that 2,564 people, mostly young children and some staff at schools were affected with the contagious stomach illness that causes diarrhea, vomiting and a fever.

Todd said the virus has puzzled the health department and lab tests showed different strains.

The health department asked the district to distribute a press release reminding parents to follow health recommendations.

Children are not to attend school if they have shown symptoms of vomiting or diarrhea within 72 hours. For any stomach issues, the health department has asked parents to keep children home for 24 hours.